By HAMZA SULEIMAN

The Biu Police Area Command has detained two suspects in connection with the murder of a 50-year-old woman accused of witchcraft practices.

The Commissioner of Police, Borno Command, Mr Yusuf Lawan, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) via telephone interview on Saturday.

Lawan said the deceased, Hajara Saleh, was murdered on Feb 21, in Bantine community in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

He gave the names of the suspects as Ja’o Muhammad, Idrisa Muhammad and Ya’u Muhammad aged between 20 and 30 years.

The commissioner said the suspects allegedly conspired to kill the victim, accusing her of practicing witchcraft and bringing misfortune to the community.

Lawan said the woman sustained injuries on her neck, legs, and hands, resulting to her death.

He said that the police were alerted of the alleged crime by a residents of Dadinkowa Gunda ward who reported the incident at about 11:00 a.m.

“Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered that the victim had already been buried according to Islamic rites by her husband, Saleh Bole, and other family members,” the commissioner said.

Lawan explained that in spite of the burial, police investigators managed to photograph the victim’s remains and gather critical evidence.

He added that two suspects were arrested immediately, while one was still at large, assuring that the police had launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The commissioner described the attack as barbaric and unjustified, warning that accusations of witchcraft should not be used as an excuse for violence or extrajudicial killings.

“The police are fully committed to bringing all those responsible for this heinous crime to justice. The public must understand that the law does not permit people to take matters into their own hands,” he said.

According to him, the suspects are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and other related offenses, noting that they would be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

Lawan therefore, urged community members to report suspicions of witchcraft or other grievances to the police rather than resorting to jungle justice. (NAN)